Once Upon a Time in Harlem is continuing its strong push for Oscar recognition, earning five nominations Tuesday for the Critics Choice Documentary Awards. That’s added to the distinction of premiering at Sundance, and being honored with berths at the Cannes, Telluride, Toronto and New York film festivals – the only documentary to do so this year.
The film directed by David Greaves and produced by Liani Greaves (David’s daughter) is based on extraordinary footage from an event in 1972 – a reunion for one afternoon only of the surviving members of the Harlem Renaissance. They gathered at the home of Duke Ellington for what would be a final opportunity to renew friendships, share stories and engage in vigorous debate about the Harlem Renaissance, its artists and scholars, and Black cultural and political life in America.
The documentary, based on material shot by William Greaves – David’s father and Liani’s grandfather – opens theatrically in New York this Friday and in Los Angeles on October 23. David and Liani join the latest edition of Deadline’s Doc Talk podcast to discuss their remarkable nonfiction feature and how they crafted it from almost 30 hours of raw footage.
David was one of the original cameramen on the 1972 shoot. He recalls working with his father to capture the once-in-a-lifetime gathering and how William wanted the finished film “to be a theatrical experience that moves at a snappy pace.” Liani reflects on her grandfather who was a true Renaissance man himself: actor, sculptor, poet, dancer, songwriter and filmmaker.
The Greaves also explore the interpersonal dynamics at play in the reunion of so many artists and thinkers who gathered that day in Harlem. Disagreements emerged among the group on how to define the Harlem Renaissance and whether its legacy would continue or be lost. The Greaves speak to the importance of women to the Harlem Renaissance and how their integral role is sometimes overlooked.
Certain frictions or frustrations became apparent during the reunion as some of those women tried to make their voices heard in the din of lively conversation.
Liani Greaves reveals why the presence of George Schuyler at the gathering triggered strong emotions among some of the attendees (having to do with his contrarian politics). She also relates one unflattering remark aimed at Schuyler — a moment not included in the documentary. Doc Talk co-host John Ridley explains why he particularly identified with comments made in the film by Richard Bruce Nugent, one of those fascinating living luminaries of the Harlem Renaissance featured in the documentary.
That’s on the new episode of Doc Talk hosted by Oscar winner Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Shirley) and Matt Carey, Deadline’s senior documentary editor. The pod is a production of Deadline and Ridley’s Nō Studios.
Listen to the episode above or on major podcast platforms including Spotify, iHeart and Apple.